Come to think of it, these days must be the worst time to be pregnant. Think about it. Not only do you have hospitals filled with COVID-19 patients, but also you have thousands of Americans who died because of the virus. And to make matters worse, the economy is at a crawl. Many companies are shuttering to adjust to the times while some are closing down for good.
Being pregnant at such a time can indeed be a nightmarish scenario. To boot, the fears that a mother can have are two-fold that of a non-pregnant woman. For now, she has to ensure not only her health but also the health of her baby. And the numbers are bleak. Data from the Center for Disease Control in 2020 shows of 8207 pregnant women surveyed, 50% were at higher risk to end up in Intensive Care Units (ICUs) compared to their nonpregnant colleagues.
Fortunately, equipping yourself with expert pregnancy advisory should bid you well. It should give you the needed protection to keep risks at bay. And what better way to do that than to be in the know with your questions answered.
How high are the risks of pregnant women getting infected?
Although there’s no concrete evidence that pregnant women are more susceptible to getting infected compared to non-pregnant counterparts, the virus is known to complicate the internal deficiencies of a person. Thus, it’s established that people with comorbidities are at a greater risk to get severely ill when contracting the virus.
No less than CDC advisory itself details that older adults are at a greater risk to succumb to the virus. Along with them are people who are already suffering from cancer and a host of life-threatening diseases. Some of these are:
- Asthma
- Cancer
- Diabetes
And as pregnant women are going through rapid bodily changes, they are more likely to get complications when contracting the virus.
How can a pregnant woman protect herself from the virus?
For starters, pregnant women should follow government-mandated protocols. And that should mean wearing masks all the time when outside and around people. That should also mean washing their hands well or alternatively using a sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol.
In line with that, pregnant women should stay as far away from sick people in these trying times. That should be paramount.
If worse comes to worst and you feel sick then you should consult a doctor at a moment’s notice. Having medical professionals examine you even via telehealth services should be your first order of business.
Take note that if you’re running out of funds, there are fast ways to procure needed cash for medical emergencies. A good example here is car title loans. Not only would you be able to get cash fast with a title loan, but also the processing isn’t an uphill climb. With your car documents in order, you can have cash in no time, if you’re approved, of course.
Can I infect my baby if I get COVID-19?
This must be the mother of all questions. And this is a tricky one. But there’s no research yet that points out that COVID-19 can spread to babies while in pregnancy or while in childbirth. Thus, no virus has been found in breast milk or the amniotic fluid.
But there are babies born that have tested positive for the virus. So should you be infected while pregnant, it’s incumbent that you have your baby tested for the virus. This should help you cater to your baby better.
Indeed, it’s possible for a newborn to be infected by the mother. But unless mom is too sick, medical experts recommend not separating one from the other.
Is a hospital now safe for my baby delivery?
The short answer is yes. Birth centers and hospitals are following government-mandated procedures to take every precaution to ensure moms and their babies are safe from the virus. Take note that those with COVID-19 symptoms are isolated away from the general population.
What steps should I take if I get sick?
COVID-19 symptoms are flu-like symptoms. So it’s paramount you get tested as soon as you feel you’re experiencing any of the following symptoms:
- Tiredness
- Diarrhea
- Nausea/vomiting
- Loss of taste/smell
- Cough
- Fever
- Trouble breathing
- Muscle pain
- Chills
Should I let visitors meet my newborn at home?
It’s your call. But bear in mind that newborns are still developing their immune systems. Thus, they are most vulnerable to the virus and will have a tougher time in fighting sickness. So the longer answer there is to avoid visitors when your baby has just arrived from the hospital. In the end, your baby’s wellness is the best reason to do so.
